The HTC One S is slightly smaller than the 4.7-inch One X.
Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Thankfully HTC went big at Mobile World Congress with its quad-core HTC One X smartphone. Sadly, the next handset to fill out the company's new lineup, the One S, runs a less splashy Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core CPU. Still, if today's phones are any indication, that will remain plenty fast.

Related Links

The One S is decently equipped in its own right; it runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and has integrated Beats audio technology. Its large 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen shines, as does HTC's latest version of the Sense UI. The One S has an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a sharp 1.3-megapixel front-facing shooter.

HTC makes pains to point out the One S' advanced camera, which has a claimed 0.7-second shot time, 0.2-second autofocus, and f/2.0. The latter enables the phone to snap better pictures under low-light conditions. While we didn't have a ton of time with the phone, the camera did capture photos quickly in a few test shots we were able to snap.

HTC has made a real effort to set the phone apart. At 0.3 inch thick, the device uses aluminum with a soft-touch surface created by a "micro arc oxidation" technique. This process is also claimed by HTC to be used in satellite design. It does look sharp, and as usual, HTC pays attention to details in the handset's contouring. It's an understated, but smooth device for sure.

This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?

What appeals to us as U.S. denizens is the HTC One S' appearance on T-Mobile's roster, where it will connect to the carrier's HSPA+ 42Mbps data network. Pricing will be key, as always, but based on what we've seen so far, the One S is a handset we'd be happy getting to know.

More Information

The Bottom Line: The One S is the Goldilocks choice of HTC's new Ice Cream Sandwich-packing range -- neither too big nor too small, and with just the right amount of oomph under the hood allowing it to throw pixels around like a hyperactive clubber throws shapes.Read full review

CNET Editors' Rating

About the author

Jessica Dolcourt reviews smartphones and cell phones, covers handset news, and pens the monthly column Smartphones Unlocked. A senior editor, she started at CNET in 2006 and spent four years reviewing mobile and desktop software before taking on devices.
See full bio

Brian Bennett is senior editor for appliances at CNET and reviews a wide range of household and smart-home products. These include everything from microwave ovens, blenders, ranges and coffee makers to personal weather stations. An NYC native, Brian now resides in bucolic Louisville, Kentucky where he dreams of someday owning the sparkling house of the future.
See full bio